[Seminole]

The notoriously anti-carry Memphis Commercial Appeal says it wants your opinion on HB 0960, a bill before the TN General Assembly this week that would allow people with Handgun Carry Permits to carry legally in public parks.

Tell 'Hot Button' what you think: Should handguns be allowed in public parks?

Originally published 12:01 p.m., February 20, 2009
Updated 05:58 p.m., February 19, 2009

The Tennessee legislature's Hand Gun Study Committee has recommended passage of several bills loosening some of the state's restrictions on where handguns may legally be carried.

One of the bills that will be considered soon by a House Judiciary subcommittee would allow Tennesseans who hold handgun carry permits to take a gun into "any park ... owned or operated by any municipal, county or state government, or instrumentality thereof," as well as any federal park in Tennessee. The proposal would bar cities and counties from prohibiting handguns in their parks, playgrounds and ball fields.

We'd like to know what you think:

Should Tennessee legislators change the law to allow people with handgun carry permits to take their weapons into any city, county or state park? Why or why not?

E-mail your response to [email protected] by Feb. 24. Keep it short (three or four sentences, if you can) and include your name, home address and daytime/evening telephone numbers where you can be reached. We'll publish selected comments on March 1.

Let them have it.